Every time I tell someone I'm from Brazil, there are a few things I am guaranteed to hear. Without fail, I always end up getting asked, "How did you end up at Penn State?" I have pretty much mastered the art of answering this question in two sentences or less, often just wanting to say, "Because it's the best school in the world." People are so surprised to discover that I travel such a long distance just to attend a school in Central Pennsylvania. There are over 7,000 international students at Penn State, making it clear that there must be a good reason for all of us to leave our homes and embark on day-long journeys just to spend four years of our lives at this school.
Penn State's school spirit is something that astonishes and amazes me every single day. I have never seen a student body so proud to represent their school. Through thick and thin, Penn Staters stick together and bleed blue and white. When choosing what school I'd attend, academics were obviously my priority, but Penn State's spirit made it clear to me that it was the place I had to be. As soon as I arrived on campus, I understood what everyone meant when they talked about my future school.
There are a million reasons to go to Penn State: the academics, the professors, the campus, the alumni network, etc. Every few weeks I see a new article praising the school. But ultimately, what made me choose Penn State is its spirit. There's something about this school that makes you fall in love. Penn Staters are one of a kind and we carry our blue and white pride and love for the rest of our lives.
There is nothing like singing the alma mater with 107,000 of your closest friends on game day, even when you have no idea how football works and what exactly happened (something I am guilty of). Likewise, nothing can top the spirit of THON, which encompasses so well what Penn Staters are about. Penn State gives you a sense of pride and belonging that you just can't shake off. Even when walking to class you are constantly surrounded by people wearing Penn State gear, proud of where they are.
No matter how far you go, you can always find someone who will spot your Penn State shirt and yell out, "WE ARE." Our spirit is something that amazes me every day and I feel lucky to be able to be a part of this family and community. Penn State, to me, is the best school in the world--a feeling I know many of my classmates and friends share. I chose Penn State because I felt that it was a special place, one where people make memories that will last a lifetime; a place that gives you experiences you will never forget; a place where you learn to love as soon as you step on campus. Once you feel the Penn State pride and love, it's easy to understand why someone would choose to travel hours to be there. What's hard to understand is how anyone could willingly go elsewhere.
